If you want to sell your home fast, forget about curb appeal—2026 is the year of the statement ladder.
Yelp’s 2026 Trend Forecast found that “staircases will shed their stodgy reputation and gain more attention next year.”
Frances Katzenfounder of The Katzen Team at Douglas Elliman, said we are seeing a clear shift from the first impressions that occur outside the home to the first emotional impressions that occur when the consumer steps inside.
“Curb appeal is still important, but the interior is now more uplifting, and the stairs have become one of the strongest visual anchors in the home,” says Katzen. “It’s often the first real estate buyer’s experience, and they set the tone for everything that follows.”
Why statement stairs appear as a selling point
Rupert Cowleya sales specialist at Multi-Turn, a custom-made staircase company, added that rather than just being functional, staircases now act as a kind of “interior front door,” a powerful differentiator in the market.
“A stunning staircase can convey craftsmanship, quality, and thoughtful design from the moment someone steps inside, often before the rest of the room is visible.”
Another reason is that grand or dramatic staircases can convey a sense of luxury.
Joaquin Rodriguezowner and marketing director of vacation rental and property management company Stay in Costa Rica, emphasized another point: Real estate searches are digital, and a compelling interior image can be the first thing that puts a buyer’s foot on the lawn.
“It is worth admitting that even a well-used structure in the house gives a sense of comfort that has been achieved forever, a freshly cut lawn that will not reproduce in time,” said Rodriguez.
Some experts, such as Alexander Zilbermanfounder and principal architect of Alexander Zilberman Architecture, echoes this view, saying that the staircase can be approached as furniture or conceptual art.
“This is because stairs are more than functional. The vertical circulation, design, and sculpting of the space are often prominent features in luxury homes that greet visitors and potential home buyers. There is a lot of opportunity in creating an amazing moment,” he said.
Finally, another reason for this change is real and straightforward: You can tell the age of a house and the level of care it received by looking at its stairs.
Dean Bennettreal estate contractor and president of Dean Bennett Design & Construction, he said that kitchens and bathrooms can be updated and new buyers appreciate updated homes, but stairs can show their age.
“This is because historically it has been expensive and difficult to restore or redo floors, and the work requires a specialized contractor. Because of this, stairs are rarely upgraded,” he said.
What trends are relevant to consumers?
Yelp’s Trend Forecast for 2026 found that homeowners are embracing “bright fabrics, woodworking projects, and fun touches like tile backsplashes and bold paint colors.”
These include runner installation (up 402%), custom carpet installation (up 835%), and floor repair (up 26%), according to Yelp.
Experts also revealed a number of additional styles that could appeal to consumers. For example, Erin Remingtondirector of sales and curation at Saatchi Art, said she likes bold clear art, or a stunning piece of black and white photography, or a unique mixed media tapestry work.
Additional favorites include sliding and floating staircases, as they “increase light and space, creating an airy and modern aesthetic that appeals to contemporary tastes,” according to Cowley.
Mixed materials, such as combining wood, glass, metal, or stone to bring contrast and texture, are also popular as defined by custom, he said.
“Sculpted, illuminated, and highly personalized steps elevate the stairs into moments of design experience,” says Cowley.
The case (floors) played a clear role in the consumer’s response
Scott Hustis again Mark Jovanovicfounders of Paradigm Advisory, art dealer representatives Barbara Gladstone‘s former Chelsea townhouse (344 West 22nd St.). It sold for $13.1 million, $1.105 million asking—in a fierce bidding war and went into contract in just 12 days, setting a record price per square foot for a Chelsea townhouse, they said.
“At 344 West 22nd St., the staircase is the first emotional moment in the home, setting the tone before you enter the living room. It shows how interior design has become the new street appeal, buyers respond immediately to how the space makes them feel when they step inside,” they said.
They added that it was built by Annabelle Selldorf as part of Gladstone’s renovation, and that the staircase serves as the architectural heart of the home—”equal parts circulation and sculptural statement.”
Does this feature bring real resale value?
Paradigm’s Hustis and Jovanovic said that if done right, statement floors can bring real resale value. While it may not seem like a line item measurement, it increases perceived value, strengthens the emotional connection during showings, helps a home stand out from the competition, and can reduce time on the market. In today’s market, that distinction often turns interest into action, they added.
Several experts agreed that, from a remarketing perspective, this trend is not about over-personalization.
Katzen noted that when done sparingly, statement ladders capture the best, raise the perceived quality of a property, and help a listing stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
“In competitive markets, that perceived impact translates directly into stronger customer engagement and, in many cases, faster sales and better offers,” he said.
Overall, many say the trend reflects broader changes in home design priorities and the way consumers value space and information.
“People are increasingly prioritizing interiors that feel personal, meaningful, and Instagram-worthy, not just houses that look good on the street,” says Cowley.
